Aside from Pokémon, there’s another major Nintendo anniversary worth celebrating in 2026: the Game Boy Advance was first released in 2001, 25 years ago. The GBA wasn’t Nintendo’s biggest success, but it was far from a failure, and the dominant handheld console of its era.
This was thanks, of course, to the games. The GBA had so many superlative titles in a variety of genres. It was a great RPG machine, a very solid platform for puzzle games, and it also handled 2D platformers like a champ. The roster of Super Nintendo remakes was additionally vibrant, as most of the older console’s most beloved titles had some sort of presence on the GBA, whether it was via direct remakes or sequels.
Emerald Is a Clear Peak in 2D Pokémon History
The third generation of Pokémon was the final one to exist on a Game Boy, with Diamond and Pearl leaving the GBA behind to launch the next generation on the Nintendo DS. It’s been over 20 years since Emerald, the height of Pokémon‘s Game Boy Advance era, but the game remains one of the most beloved in the whole franchise.
The game built on Ruby and Sapphire in a number of key ways, most notably with the massive expansion of the post-game via the new seven-facility Battle Frontier. The Pokémon series has changed a lot since the days of Emerald, but the third generation of Pokémon remains a fan-favorite.
WeaknessYx2
Retreat Cost2
ResistanceNone
HP180
StageBasic
[1RRL] Dragon Strike (130)
Flip a coin. If tails, this Pokemon can’t use Dragon Strike during your next turn.
Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land Doesn’t Feel Like an NES Remake
Kirby’s Adventure is one of the most iconic games of the NES era. The gameplay was there, the graphics were gorgeous, and it was timeless. This was proven with the release of Nightmare in Dream Land, a GBA remake.
To uninitiated fans, it didn’t feel like a creaky old game being pushed into present day, but a new Game Boy Advance game. The enhanced visuals looked right at home on the system, the level designs were dynamic and fun, and responsive controls made the experience feel fluid. Though the experience is relatively short today, Nightmare in Dream Land is still a joy to plow through in an hour or two.
Super Mario World’s GBA Version Was Perfect in Its Simplicity
Part of the initial appeal of the Game Boy Advance was that it was like a handheld version of the SNES. The new handheld was nicely suited for playing Super Nintendo games on the go, and consequently, Nintendo re-made a lot of them for the system.
One that absolutely had to make the migration was Super Mario World, the definitive SNES title. It helped push 2D platformers into new territory, and the experience was still great fun on the GBA. This version is a no-frills adaptation because updates weren’t really necessary, though the inclusion of the original Mario Bros. arcade game was a fun diversion.
Warioware, Inc.: Mega Microgames! Launched a New Genre
Wario games are where Nintendo gets to conduct some of its most adventurous experiments. That was particularly true with the WarioWare series, which launched on the Game Boy Advance. As a system perfect for pick-up-and-play gaming, it was the ideal platform for the WarioWare concept: a bunch of super simple games that take just a few seconds to play, presented to the player in back-to-back fashion.
Aside from just being a fun experience, WarioWare has a ton of polish and a delightful atmosphere full of quirky characters and environments. The Mario universe doesn’t have much distinct personality, but Wario‘s realm runs on it.
Super Circuit Was an End of an Era for Mario Kart
Every Nintendo system needs a Mario Kart game, and for the GBA, that game was Super Circuit. In a sense, Super Circuit was a farewell for Mario Kart, as the final 2D game in the series. This made sense for a handheld system, and the result is a core GBA experience.
The game is essentially a modernization of the Super Nintendo original, and again, that’s bread and butter for the Game Boy Advance. The courses are fun, the controls are smooth, and it has the same level of charm as many games from Nintendo’s high-flying 2000s era.
Advance Wars Is an Awesome Introductory Strategy Game
Beyond SNES remakes, the Game Boy Advance also has no shortage of RPG and strategy games. Strategy titles can be complex and even intimidating for newcomers to the genre, but Advance Wars remains an approachable place to start. The mechanics are accessible, but that doesn’t mean the game lacks technical depth.
Battles require thoughtful planning and resource management, as well as consideration of what your units are capable of. While a lot of strategy games have a serious presentation style, Advance Wars is colorful and bright, with a pixel art style that doesn’t feel antiquated all these years later.
Metroid Fusion Is Tense and Super Replayable
Though the Game Boy Advance has a small screen that was only backlit upon the introduction of the GBA SP model, games can still have terrific visuals. Metroid Fusion is a shining example, as the established action-adventure series gets a beautiful-looking installment.
Beyond the cinematic presentation and tense atmosphere, Fusion builds on previous Metroid titles and delivers a large series of interconnected environments that reward exploration and curiosity. The controls are responsive and satisfying, and two decades later, Fusion stands as one of the most replayable games in the Metroid series.
Kuru Kuru Kururin Is Its Own Thing
Japanese developer Eighting was known for fighting games like the Bloody Roar series, but Kuru Kuru Kururin, their first game made in partnership with Nintendo. Instead of focusing on violent combat again, however, they made a cheery puzzle game.
The premise is that the player has to pilot a spinning, stick-like vehicle through a complicated level, timing moves with the vehicle’s constant rotation to ensure safe passage without hitting the walls and causing too much damage. There’s never really been another game quite like this one (aside from the Japan-only sequels), so Kuru Kuru Kururin stands out as something that’s all its own.
Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga Injects Personality Into the World of Mario
Nintendo has a number of RPG series, and one of its best, Mario and Luigi, launched on the Game Boy Advance with Superstar Saga. It’s a great start, as the titular brothers are sent to the BeanbeanKingdom, where they encounter lively environments and vibrant characters.
The gameplay combines RPG mechanics with platforming, exploration, and real-time action elements that create an adventure that’s filled with fun. There’s a lot of personality here, too, both in the character designs and in the entertaining writing. It’s accessible but also deep, making it a good first RPG for new players and a joyful adventure for all.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap is Peak 2D Zelda
The Legend of Zelda had a strong handheld presence on the Game Boy Advance, with the crown jewel of the series’ installments being The Minish Cap. Zelda games tend to be built around a central gimmick, and this time, it’s the fact that Link can shrink down to a tiny size.
This creatively recontextualizes environments and opens the gameplay and narrative possibilities wide open. This lends itself to creative dungeon designs, satisfying exploration, and enjoyable puzzles. The Minish Cap can get overshadowed by more storied Zelda RPGs, but even still, this is one newer of the series fans should revisit.